Well, after saying yesterday that that was the last issue of the Sausalito Currents for 2012 . . .

A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION FROM YOUR CITY OFFICES

Remember WE'LL DRIVE YOU HOME on New Year's Eve
Remember the number 415-299-4431. Call for a ride anywhere within the City of Sausalito for a safe ride on New Year's Eve (for more information on this item, refer back to the December 19 issue of the Sausalito Currents)

Remember the Community Meeting on the Draft Traffic Study at the MLK Properties – Lycee Francais School – January 8, 5:00 pm at the MLK Gym (for information on this item, refer back to the December 19 issue of the Sausalito Currents)

Free Sausalito Electronic Waste Collection Event
Help our City to dispose of e-waste the right way by recycling!

The Sausalito Sustainability Commission is sponsoring its annual e-waste disposal event on Saturday, January 12, 2013, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM in the Sausalito City Hall rear parking lot on Bee Street. Residents and businesses are invited to drop off non-working and obsolete electronics at the event.

E-waste collected will be shredded and mechanically separated into the primary commodities of steel, aluminum, copper and plastic for use in the manufacture of new products. No e-waste will be landfilled or exported as e-waste.

The City Council recently adopted regulations which will allow new ADUs in the City and grant amnesty to existing unpermitted ADUs!

What is allowed? New Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), aka “mother-in-law” or “second unit”, which are residential units that are ancillary to a primary unit on a property, are now allowed in residential districts under certain conditions (e.g., size, height, design, parking, coverage, etc.), and with the approval of a permit. Existing ADUs which were established without permits may also be granted amnesty through March 31, 2014 under certain conditions, and with the approval of a permit.

What is the process for applying for a Permit? Please see the brochure which explains the permit process and submittal requirements for each type of ADU— new or existing. Please use the brochures as a guide to the ADU standards, and what you’d need to submit to apply for a permit (plans, applications, fees, other documents). Please take a close look at the table for the standards you’d have to meet and the “quick submittal checklist” for everything you’d need to submit. We encourage discussions with neighbors early on in the process.

Where are the application forms? The permit application for each ADU— new or existing—is available on our website (under “Accessory Dwelling Units”). Please note that amnesty for existing unpermitted units will only be granted for complete applications submitted before March 31, 2014, after which time unpermitted units may be subject to code enforcement.

What are the fees? For a limited period of time, fees have been reduced by 50% for new and amnesty ADUs. The new ADU Permit application fee is $600 until March 31, 2014. A building permit will also be required to construct the ADU (separate permitting fees apply). The amnesty ADU Permit application fee is $400. A Housing Unit Inspection from the Building and Fire Divisions will be required (separate permitting fees apply; if corrections are necessary a building permit will be required). Click here to see the planning fee schedule or the building fee schedule.

Where are the actual regulations? Please see www.ci.sausalito.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=368 for Ordinance 1209 adopted by the City Council— here you’ll find the specific regulations adopted by the Council regarding ADUs.

How can I get more information? If you have any questions about the ADU process or submittal requirements please contact me at (415) 289-4134 below or call (415) 289-4128 to speak with any Planner.

Last Minute Tid-Bits from Your Community

Willow Creek Foundation announces community Memberships. Show your support for, and become connected with, your local public school - Willow Creek Academy, your free award winning K-8 public charter school located in Sausalito.

More reasons to become a Member of Willow Creek Foundation:

• Help maintain the extra programs (art, music, Spanish language, physical education) that are not covered by public funding but contribute to Willow Creek Academy’s success and popularity with local families
• Receive a regular newsletter about what’s happening at Willow Creek Academy
• Have the opportunity to tutor at Willow Creek Academy
• Help keep young families in the community
• Help maintain the unique ethnic diversity at Willow Creek Academy which is Marin County’s most diverse school
• Have the opportunity to schedule a conducted tour of Willow Creek Academy and see the students at work in their classrooms
• Receive invitations to Willow Creek Foundation and Willow Creek Academy events
• Receive recognition on Willow Creek Academy’s website and in next year’s Willow Creek Academy Directory
• Include your membership level as a charitable donation on your 2012 tax returns.
• Good public schools increase the value of homes within the school district!

To become a Member of Willow Creek Foundation for the current school year, go to www.willowcreekacademy.org/donate to make a donation of $50 or more, selecting Membership as the Purpose of Donation. Or you may send a check to Willow Creek Foundation, 10 Liberty Ship Way #150, Sausalito, CA 94965. You have automatically been designated as a Member if you have already donated at least $50 since July 1, 2012.

Hold the dates open for some upcoming Sister City events

Saturday, December 29, 6:00-8:00 pm – Celebration of the Founding of Vina del Mar at Wellington’s Wine Bar. Pop on in to join the celebrations.

Monday, January 7, 7:00 pm – Annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Sausalito Sister Cities, Inc. will be held in the Edgewater Room (City Hall). This is the newly formed organization which now incorporates the three sister city programs – Sakaide, Japan, Vina del Mar, Chile and Cascais, Portugal. This meeting is open to the public.

Saturday, January 26 – Gala Evening at The Pines. Your presence at the gala will help us host seven Chilean women entrepreneurs for activities in Sausalito next Spring.
Try a Pisco Sour, taste wines from here and there, and eat fabulous food. There will be piano music, dance and song. Participate in an exciting live auction with fabulous prizes, plus periodic raffles during the evening. You will top off the evening by dancing to the selections of Radio Sausalito’s own DJ extraordinaire: Jonathan Westerling!
Your hosts for this magic Soirée will be Roxanne Sheridan, Gil Purcell Sr., Gil Purcell Jr. and the Sausalito/Viña del Mar Operations Council.

There will be shuttles to and from the venue starting at 6:30 pm from the Spencer Avenue Bus stop and Sausalito City Council parking lot (in back of building). Arrive early to park so that you do not miss any of this exciting evening!

Finally, just a reminder that should anyone wish to make a donation to our Committee before the end of the year, you can do so on our online site: http://www.gofundme.com/SSC-Vina-2012.